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CHAPTER I: Philippine Folkdance

“Dance is the hidden language of the soul.”
―  Martha Graham

LESSON 1
History, Classification, Values and Dos and Don’ts

INTRODUCTION

According to Cebu's Famous Cultural Center - The Jungle Cultural Entertainment

(2010), countries in the world have their own cultures made more colorful, beautiful and
vibrant because of Folk Dances that are reflection of who they are. In the east, the
Chinese have their symbolic Dragon Dance; the Japanese have the ancestral dance
Bon Odori. In the Americans have their Square Dance. “The Pearl of The Orient” boasts
a variety of Filipino Folk Dances.
The Philippines consist of 7107 islands, and divided in three group of islands. The
Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Each of these regions contains of different languages,
history, religion, and traditions. With each region having different influence in their arts,
crafts, and ancestorical dances. Let’s take a trip through each region and explore the
different styles, costumes, Dances and Talents from each region. As we explore each of
the regions and styles, you must remember these Cultural and Folkdances that
represents hardships and daily back breaking tasks, which has turned into an art form.
Many of the dances you will read in this chapter were different dances that the Filipino
endured to survive the poor economy and state of the nation.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Explain Philippine Folkdance
 Identify the classification of Philippine Folkdance
 Appreciate the values of Folkdance in the Philippines.

Let’s Do It!

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1. Analyze the picture on the first column and accomplish the matrix below. Write your
answers on the space provided.
Picture Analysis Name Geograp
of hical
Folkda Area
nce

https://lovefolkdance.files.wordpress.com/2018/09/banga-02.jpg?
w=1100
1. It literally means pot, is a contemporary performance of
Kalinga of the Mountain Province in the Philippines.

https://danceask.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/SINGKIL-
PHILIPPINES.jpg
2. Originated from Maranao people who inhabit the shores of
Lake Lanao. Originally only women, particularly royalty dance
this kind of folkdance, which serves as either a conscious or
unconscious advertisement to potential suitors. The dance
takes its name from the heavy rings worn on the ankles of the
Princess.

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https://gtactivity.ca/sites/gtactivity.prod/files/activity-
images/tinikling_dance.jpg
3. Is a traditional Philippine folkdance which originated during
the Spanish colonial era. The dance involves two people
beating, tapping, and sliding bamboo poles on the ground and
against each other in coordination with one or more dancers
who step over and in between the poles on a dance.

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn
%3AANd9GcTQr3BTbtjNxmOIN_SnqfRMvNEVGBssiXq27A&usqp=
CAU
4. One of the national dances. This is a courtship dance
known throughout the Philippines with its flirtatious
movements. There are many versions of this dance, but hide
and seek movements using fans and a handkerchief are the
most common.

Let’s Connect the Dots

1. Accomplish the diagram below, write a words/phrases related to folkdance.

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 FOLKDANCE
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2. Examine the pictures below. And identify the different folkdances in to its
classification. Answer whether it is Spanish influenced Dance, Muslim Dance,
Rural Dance, Cordillera Rural Dance or Tribal Dance. And explain and
describe what its differences in terms of its classifications.

Folkdances Classifications Explain and

describe

https://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tnwivhb1wSI/SeahLV6QpeI/
AAAAAAAAAEA/xF6cRUzOWOM/s400/COLORING+T
HE+STREETS+OF+BONTOC+2.jpg

https://64.media.tumblr.com/2a4ecd40d85dbfa8ba0cb1
07cab86030/tumblr_nncn4s6dJt1qfo9ixo1_500.jpg

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https://delcampe-
static.net/img_large/auction/000/225/744/772_001.jpg

https://i2.wp.com/sffoghorn.com/wp-
content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_1081.jpg?
fit=1200%2C800&w=640

Let’s Talk About It

PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCE

DANCE- A form of expression of oneself through rhythmic movement.

FOLKDANCE - Generally, a type of dance that is a vernacular, usually recreational,

expression of a past or present culture. A popular dance considered as part of the
tradition or custom of a particular people. Developed by people that reflect the life of
people of a certain region or country.

The term Folkdance was accepted until the mid-20th century.

PHILIPPINE FOLKDANCE- mirrors the culture and tradition of the Filipinos. It has also
been a source of culture identity of the people.

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History of Philippine Folk Dance

The history of Philippine Folk Dancing incorporates influences from

immigrants and conquerors while at the same time maintaining distinctly Filipino
roots. Philippine Folk Dancing is a true reflection of daily life in past centuries while
enchanting modern audiences at the same time.

There is no recorded “start” to Philippine Folk Dance- as long as there have

been people on the islands they have been dancing. In fact, their mythology is filled
with many different gods and goddesses that needed to be placated, implored, or
thanked for various natural events like rain and harvests.

It is impossible to know when exactly dancing became a part of life in the

Philippines. Many traditional dances were designed to thank gods for natural and
agricultural events, such as rain and harvests. The dances were performed during
festivals and remembrances of past military victories , and still are performed at
celebrations of births and weddings in modern times. Many modern folk dance
festivals still feature ancient dances performed in costume of the tribal period of
the Philippines.

Folkloric dance is the history of the people in movement. In some cultures,

pale fragments of it survive centuries of invasions and diasporas. In the
Philippines, Folk Dance is a strong and enduring indigenous expression.

Pre- Colonial

Before the recorded history of the Philippines, before the Spanish conquistadors
conquered and Christianized the populace, from the earliest occupation of this volcanic
archipelago, the people danced. They danced to appease to gods, to curry favor
from powerful spirits, to celebrate a hunt or harvest, to mimic the exotic life forms
around them. They danced their stories and their shamatic rituals, their rites of passage
and their remembered legends and history.

Muslim Merchants

Muslim traders from the Malay Archipelago reached the Philippines in the
th
14 century , well ahead of the Europeans. Their conversion of the populace was a
modest affair; they were more interested in commerce than colonization, although they
establish strongholds and convert the local populace to Islam. They also created their
own folk dances in the areas where they settled. Singkil is one of the most
famous.

Spanish Colonization

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Folk Dances survived the European invasion, and the dancers adapted imposed
Christian belief and culture to their own dances, borrowing court choreography but
imbuing it with Philippine spirit. The Maria Clara dances merged Spanish court style
(and its stylized courtship conventions) with Philippine exuberance. Maria Clara is
the pure and noble heroine of a novel who represents the finest qualities of
Filipino womanhood. The dancers wear European 16th- century dress but move to
the sounds of bamboo castanets.

Folkloric Fusion

The revered folk dance from the lowlands and the hill tribes persist in their
traditional form and in contemporary choreography for Philippine Ballet
Companies. Dance is still the theater of identity for the Filipino people, a vibrant and
cherished way to tell their story forwards with all the rich history of their past.

CLASSIFICATION OF PHILIPPINE FOLKDANCE

1. SPANISH INFLUENCED/MARIA CLARA DANCE

2. RURAL DANCE

3. MUSLIM DANCE

4. TRIBAL DANCE

5. CORDILLERA/ RURAL DANCE

SPANISH INFLUENCED/MARIA CLARA DANCE

(Luzon)
-Dances reflects Christianity and European art and culture.
- Named After The Chief Female Character Of Jose Rizal's Noli Me Tangere,
Spanish Influences “Filipinized” By The Use Of Bamboo Castanets And Abanico,
and Handkerchief.

Costume : Female – Maria Clara

Male – Barong Tagalog and Black Pants

EX. LA JOTA, CARINOSA

RURAL DANCE
(Luzon and Visayas)

Dances Illustrate The Fiesta Spirit And Love Of Life, Best Known Type Of Filipino
Dance.

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Reflects the simple life of the people in the barrio. Depicts common work, daily activities
of the peasants.

Costume (Luzon) : Female- Colorful Balintawak with soft panuelo and tapis
Male - Camisa De Chino And Colored Trousers.

Costume (Visayas) : Female – Kimona and Patadyong with soft kerchief

Male- Barong or Camisa de Chino and trousers of
any color

EX. BINSUAN, TINIKLING

MUSLIM DANCE
(Southern Mindanao)

Characterized By Vivid Colors And Rhythmic Movements Which Reflect The

Influenced Of Arabian And Indo-Malaysian Cultures.

Costume: sigpit or sablay, patadyong, malong, pants

EX. SINGKIL, PANGALAY

TRIBAL DANCE
(Mindanao)

Also known as Ethnic dances; ethnic minorities found in different parts of the
Philippines.
Tribal dances performed essential for the gods ceremonial and ritual type
dances.

Costume: Female- Hinabi na tela (hablon)

Accessories (beads)
Male – G-string short jacket and shoulder band, feathered
head dresses “bahag”

EX. UDOL, DUGSO

CORDILLERA RURAL DANCE

(Northern Luzon/ Cordillera)

Dances to celebrate victories, festivals, religious rituals, thanksgiving, etc.

musical instruments include nose flute, bamboo, guitar, drums, gongs and wooden
sticks.

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Costume : Female- Hinabi na tela (hablon)

Accessories (beads)
Male – G- string short jacket and shoulder band, feathered head
dresses “bahag”

EX. MANMANOK, BANGA

Values of Folkdance

Folk arts, specifically folk music and dance, embody fundamental values of great
worth to our culture, our nation, and our children. There is no better way to share time
together as families and friends. Our job is to preserve the joyful tunes we’ve inherited
from our ancestors and to pass them on to others. A group called Colerain Connection is
quite dedicated to the dissemination and preservation of traditional folk arts. It is very
important to see musical artists performing on instruments they hand crafted, or playing
vibrant melodies from their grandfather’s fiddle. This group is all about preserving history
and tradition.
Philippine Folkdance helps keep the people connected to their ancestry and their
traditions. Folkdance helps to preserve the cultural unity of the people. People think
folkdances are important because they help keep a culture alive. People have been
doing folkdances for hundreds of years, and there is value keeping that tradition alive.

6 Values of Folkdance
1. Dancing Ability
2. Social Interaction
3. Having a Healthy body
4. Lasting Friendship Formed
5. Educational Value
6. Dance Gracefully

Do’s in Folk Dancing

1. Dance in a natural, simple and direct manner.

2. Dance with ease and smoothness.
3. Use proper costume for the dance.
4. Follow the directions and dance instructions as closely as possible.
5. Dance with feeling and expression.

Don’t in Folk Dancing

1. Do not exaggerate the dance steps.

2. Do not make the dances too dainty and graceful like ballet.
3. Don’t make entrance and exit long.
4. Don’t make steps too elaborate and complicated.

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5. Don’t call a dance a folkdance unless steps come fro traditional dance

Let’s See What‘s On Your Mind

1. Why is there a need to study the History, Classification of Philippine Folkdance?
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2. What is the Importance of Folkdance in the daily lives of different people in a region
or in a country?
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3. How could one gain values in studying folkdance?

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Let’s Dig Up More

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Direction: Identify what is ask and best describe on the following statement.

________________1. Also known as Ethnic dances; ethnic minorities found in different

parts of the Philippines. Dances performed essential for the gods ceremonial and ritual
type dances.

________________2. Dances Illustrate The Fiesta Spirit And Love Of Life, Best Known
Type Of Filipino Dance. Reflects the simple life of the people in the barrio. Depicts
common work, daily activities of the peasants.

________________3. Dances to celebrate victories, festivals, religious rituals,

thanksgiving, etc. musical instruments include nose flute, bamboo, guitar, drums, gongs
and wooden sticks.

_______________4. Generally, a type of dance that is a vernacular, usually

recreational, expression of a past or present culture.

_______________5. In the history of folkdance they reached the Philippines in the 14 th

century, well ahead of the Europeans. Their conversion of the populace was a modest
affair; they were more interested in commerce than colonization, although they establish
strongholds and convert the local populace to Islam. They also created their own folk
dances in the areas where they settled. Singkil is one of the most famous.

_______________6. Characterized By Vivid Colors And Rhythmic Movements Which

Reflect The Influenced Of Arabian And Indo-Malaysian Cultures.

_______________7. History of Folk Dances survived the European invasion, and the
dancers adapted imposed Christian belief and culture to their own dances, borrowing
court choreography but imbuing it with Philippine spirit. The Maria Clara dances merged
Spanish court style (and its stylized courtship conventions) with Philippine exuberance.

8. What are the values of folkdance?

__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________

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